Contra Mundum

Random Quote Generator

2011-01-06T00:59:00.009-05:00

MEGA-HAT TIP TO JULIA!!!!

2010-10-10T09:47:00.000-04:00

It's not much

2010-09-11T21:57:00.000-04:00

I have a new blog.

All the world's a stage...

2010-08-18T21:21:00.003-04:00

Dear family o' mine,

I finally have an official update on my auditions.

The Merchant of Venice: I texted several of you about this one. I got two callbacks for the part of Jessica and I just got a phone call from the director saying I didn't get it.

The Odd Couple: I'm not sure if any of you knew I was auditioning for this one, but I did AND I got in! (I'm not allowed to say what part, but it's kinda a no-brainer since there are only two female roles in the entire play.) Needless to say, it's going to be amazing and y'all will definitely be forced to sit through a dvd viewing at one of our future get-togethers.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: I didn't even have to audition for this one! I'm helping with costumes, hair, and makeup and got pulled in. The girl who is playing Candy can't make it one night so I'm covering for her. Last night we were talking and she doesn't think she'll be able to do the morning shows either, so it looks like I've got three more performances. That'd be four in all, almost half!

So there you have it. It certainly shall be a busy few months.

With all my love,
Rachael

Ode to Mr. Reeves

2010-08-05T22:32:00.001-04:00

Hilarious.

Best Screen Chemistry EVER!

2010-05-17T13:46:00.001-04:00

By the pricking of my thumbs...

2010-03-22T00:02:00.003-04:00

...something wicked (awesome) this way comes.

A friend from Macbeth photographed rehearsal the other night. Post-apocalyptic Shakespeare? You can't get much better than that!
(And yet another reason why y'all should move up north.)
http://www.jenkiaba.com/2010/03/macbeth-in-rhinebeck.html

A Rallying Cry!

2010-03-19T15:20:00.001-04:00

Catchphrase!

2010-03-06T16:56:00.002-05:00

A Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie Ever -- powered by Cracked.com

Far Less Exhausting...

2010-03-04T14:24:00.001-05:00

Further Adventures in Solipcism!

2010-03-01T13:25:00.002-05:00

Dear All:

Just a quick post to let you know I now have a personal blog! I'm using it as a platform from which to note art and design that catches my eye -- when I remember to post to it, that is. :)

love, janice

Hitler and BXVI

2010-02-22T12:45:00.000-05:00

Cars Re-enactment

2010-02-08T09:51:00.002-05:00

Ever wonder about that crash the "King" has at the end of the movie Cars? A lot of people know it was a re-enactment of the actor's actual car crash during a race. But have you ever actually watched it??

Here's another one of Richard Petty's famous crashes. The man is under one blessed star.

This guy, not Richard Petty, was also very, very luck.

Don't drag Virginia into your drama.

2010-02-04T09:40:00.001-05:00

Just when you thought it was safe to mess with Texas...

Too amazing not to share

2010-02-02T20:09:00.001-05:00

Fear the Boom and Bust

2010-02-02T09:16:00.002-05:00

Should be playing in every high school!... and, y'know, on a perpetual loop at the Fed and in the halls of Congress.

(Sorry I couldn't make the video smaller. It drives me crazy when it spills over into our sidebar like that! But, YouTube didn't offer a smaller option.)

The Awkward Song

2010-01-30T14:21:00.000-05:00

HI-larious.

(Belatedly) requiescat in pace

2010-01-28T13:02:00.000-05:00

Obama SOTU: More of...ME!

2010-01-28T12:54:00.001-05:00

Obama's answer for America: more of me

By JONAH GOLDBERG

There's a story of an exhausted tenor at La Scala who, facing repeated cries of "Encore," responded that he couldn't go on. A man rose in the audience to say, "You'll keep singing until you get it right."

That seems to be the defining principle of the Obama administration -- whose response to every problem, every setback, every hiccup and challenge has been, simply, "more Obama."

Indeed, for people who aren't sticklers for political jargon, it will be a shock that last night was Obama's first State of the Union Address, since it was his third formal address to a joint session of Congress. Yet for all of the political déjà vu, what was most surprising last night was the degree to which Obama delivered even more of the same.

Not a joke!

2010-01-19T15:44:00.001-05:00

Obama Mia!

By DANIEL SCHWAMMENTHAL

Frankfurt

"Hope—The Obama Musical Story" premiered here Sunday evening. One is tempted to end the review right there. Seriously, isn't the oeuvre's title and premature timing commentary enough? Sure, the U.S. president has been (favorably) compared to God but even Jesus Christ had to wait nearly 2,000 years before he became a Superstar.

Read more...

The Princess & the Frog

2010-01-18T10:31:00.005-05:00

Based on Laura's always superb recommendation, I caught a screening of 'The Princess & the Frog' last night. While not a masterpiece by any means, this movie gets MAJOR kudos for being the first Disney cartoon in my memory to present 1) a heroine who has an intact and loving family, 2) a heroine who doesn't define her heroism by sassing or defying her parents (On the contrary, her more heroic actions are bound up in her *honoring* her father!) and 3) a prince with personality (!!) whose maturation during the film culminates in his taking initiative to win his princess through industry and selflessness.

The obligatory scatological humor and forgettable soundtrack aside, I encourage everyone to support this Disney trend with your buck!

Stupid movie, but with a quiz!

2010-01-14T10:00:00.002-05:00

The film looks abysmal even from a distance, but I can't resist a quiz!

The results were satisfying, I suppose:

Mr. George Knightley

"You might not see one in a hundred with gentleman so plainly written as in Mr. Knightley."

You're looking for the complete package: a man with brains, good looks, a great job, perfect manners and a sizeable fortune to boot. Well, today's your lucky day.

As Highbury's wealthiest landowner and all-around great guy, Mr. Knightley is what your mother meant by "a good catch." He's a "sensible man" with a "cheerful manner" who loves his family and friends and has no patience for vanity or drama. Direct, down-to-earth and happily duty-bound, he proves time and again that chivalry is alive and well. He's a reluctant dancer but an astute judge of character and a trustworthy confidant. Overt displays of emotion or affection aren't exactly his thing, but you couldn't ask for a more caring or thoughtful friend.

No one's perfect, so you'll have to work through disagreements now and then (usually over something you've said or done). But, if you can get over his being right most of the time, you two should enjoy a fine life together indeed.

Still, a lot of the questions struck me as random.

The staging has an element of 'Oscar performance' cheesiness about it...

2010-01-07T15:55:00.004-05:00

but you can't beat the beauty and power of those voices!

Scenes I didn't understand as a child

2010-01-03T10:57:00.003-05:00

As long as we're on the subject of collective nightmares...

2010-01-02T22:31:00.001-05:00

In a spirit of reciprocity

2010-01-02T14:44:00.000-05:00

Apropo

2010-01-01T08:35:00.001-05:00

I pretty much just love lists...

2009-12-31T08:18:00.000-05:00

The Top 10 Conservative Movies of the Last Decade.

Happy Birthday, auntlori!!

2009-12-28T10:04:00.003-05:00

Happeeeee biiiiirthday tooooo yooooou!
Happeeeee biiiiirthday tooooo yooooou!
Happeeeee biiiIIIIrthday, dear auntloooooriiiii!
Happeeeee biiiiirthday tooooo yooooou!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

2009-12-27T22:24:00.002-05:00

Will we *ever* get a cinematic version of Eliza Doolittle who can SING??? It's like they're upping the ante by giving us someone who also can't act!

Clue

2009-12-25T15:07:00.001-05:00

Esto se sienta sobre un estante.

これは、一晩中輝いて見える。

C'est à partir d'un film.

To Contra Mundum

2009-12-25T08:46:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

"You're on the NAUGHTY list..."

2009-12-23T18:53:00.000-05:00

And speak nice to her, cause I want her to be my mother

2009-12-17T19:53:00.004-05:00

This is the cutest thing ever, but you'll have to close your eyes because the animation is absolutely atrocious.
The first year I went to Ireland one of the guys from YD had me listen to these. During the 60s(?) a group went into the Dublin schools and recorded children telling different religious stories. Then a few or so years ago some idiot took a really bad actress with a terrible Irish accent and made these crappy animations, but suffer through it cause the kids are worth the pain inflicted on your eyes.

Amusing side note: Oliver Plunkett's Head is a relic displayed in St. Peter's Church in Drogheda, 35 miles out of Dublin. Apparantly that was this child's reference for a long trip, to go to see St. Oliver Plunkett's head and back. :)

Getting the ball rolling

2009-12-15T19:19:00.002-05:00

Songs to which we must dance at New Years:

Thriller
Maahi ve
Cotton Eyed Joe
With Catlike Tread
Hills of Donegal
Macarena
Suerte
Stayin' Alive
Magic Dance
That Thing You Do!
The Twist

Set your calendars, ladies!

2009-12-15T19:18:00.000-05:00

Arbonne party at my house, January 17th. Time to be announced!

A Penguin of a Different Color

2009-12-13T12:39:00.003-05:00

Thank you for inviting me to join this dear blog! I thought this might be appreciated here. What a shame it doesn't ship to the U.S....Sigh.

Contra Mundum's Tipping Point...

2009-12-12T10:10:00.000-05:00

into Extreme Awesomeness.

Back to the 80's

2009-12-11T08:29:00.000-05:00

heehee

Cookies, anyone?

2009-12-10T18:07:00.000-05:00

Funniest thing ever.

This may be more awesomeness than a single blog can contain...

2009-12-08T21:27:00.001-05:00

Kirk and Rush. It had to be.

Tangentially, why doesn't Rush ever wear socks?

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

2009-12-08T09:33:00.002-05:00

For Remembrance

2009-12-07T21:32:00.003-05:00

The Silence of Mystery and Expectation

2009-12-07T21:30:00.000-05:00

Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., preached on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s expectation during the first Advent when Christ dwelt in her womb. Here is the text of his homily:

The Virgin Mary, during the Season of Advent, sees what others have not seen. And she hears what others have not heard. She sees and hears the promise of the Archangel, Gabriel, who speaks to her the word of God, “Behold you are to conceive a Son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, which means God is with us.” Mary lives the mystery of faith, this time of advent, as a time of expectation, a time of waiting for the birth of her Son. But she also lives this time as a time of the presence of God, of a new presence of God, in the womb of Mary.

We have all had the occasion by a moment to sense more intensely the presence of Christ in the Eucharist during the celebration of the Mass, during Eucharistic adoration, or even in the Tabernacle, when we walk into a Church. There is Christ. He is there whether we sense or experience his presence. But precisely because this is the case, we are sometimes given to experience that he is present. Such experience is not the source of faith, but in some way it is its consequence.

But what about the experience of the blessed Virgin Mary during Advent? It is reasonable, like the Fathers of the Church, to see Mary as the original tabernacle. The word became flesh and dwells among us. This being hidden but present among us is first of all realized during the time of advent in the home of Nazareth, in the womb of Mary, under the protection of saint Joseph. Mary meditated upon all these things and kept them in her heart. We can reasonably speculate that she read scripture during this time, in silence, most likely the words of Isaiah, his prophesies, and found in them a sense of the meaning of what was happening to her.

St. Augustine says that she conceived the Word in her heart before she conceived the Word in her flesh. So that her maternity was accompanied by an intensification and growth in faith, in contemplation, in the intelligent perception of mystery. The second Vatican Council says that during the time of her pregnancy the heart of the Incarnate Word beat gently below the heart of Mary, her immaculate heart. Two immaculate hearts, beating silently and prayerfully in the night of this world.

And during this time, Mary grew in faith and in love, in expectation and in quite joy. Such should be also our advent, a time to accept the silence of mystery and expectation, of quiet penance and joy, waiting for the dawn of Christmas, and the light of Christ that is to illumine the world.

From the 'Tell Me Something I Didn't Know' Department

2009-12-07T11:49:00.001-05:00

New Study Reveals Most Children Unrepentant Sociopaths.

A Couple of No-Name Slobs

2009-12-03T09:36:00.003-05:00

Until recently re-watching this movie with Anne & Bonnie, I had completely forgotten how much I love it (Buddy Ebsen's creepy and Mickey Rooney's racist performances notwithstanding)!

(You know, I hate Mickey Rooney in pretty much everything...)

Pace Brother Grimm

2009-12-01T10:43:00.001-05:00

I think I've found the worst movie ever made!

When in Rome, do as the Americans do.

2009-12-01T08:03:00.002-05:00

Very interesting: a European perspective on the Manhattan Declaration.

The Action of Grace

2009-11-23T18:16:00.003-05:00

So cool to see Fr. Thomas Joseph!!

(h/t Fr. Brian Mulcahy)

Just a little housekeeping...

2009-11-22T23:33:00.006-05:00

Since we all share this blog in common, it seems only right that we should all have full editorial access. To that end, I've made sure to grant administrative permissions to everyone.

This allows you to change the settings of the blog and extend invitations to any other family members that I have inadvertently omitted (and you know I have -- sorry to those of you who haven't been able to post!!)

Let me know if for any reason you find yourself without full access and I shall try to figure out what in thunder is going on!

"Faith takes nothing away from your genius or art..."

2009-11-22T08:20:00.002-05:00

The Pope addresses the arts.

(I'm still a bit puzzled as to how Dan Brown got a mention in an article about artists... I can only assume it's some kind of vast Da Vincian conspiracy.)

"Subtle links": God saves twins!

2009-11-20T14:57:00.001-05:00

From our Charlottesville pro-life blog:

"...how subtle are the links which bind two souls which are so closely allied." -- Arthur Conan Doyle

In life there are moments when the grace of God becomes so vividly and visually apparent that, if we were to try and capture such a moment in fiction or film, it would be dismissed as an improbable fiction. And yet the grace of God pervades every moment of every day, more wondrously than we can understand or seek to describe. That is what we are called upon to remember in those seemingly extraordinary moments -- not that the action of God in our lives is unusual, but that our realization of it is what is really extraordinary.

On this particular "Friday for Life", as we stood in a little group, praying in front of the genocide factory of Planned Parenthood, we experienced the usual mixture of reactions -- a whispered "God bless you" from an elderly man out for his morning constitutional, and a scarcely understandable shout that we should "get a job".

When the red mini-SUV pulled out of the parking lot and slowed at the curb near the sign, our prayers intensified. It was driven by an older woman, with a girl in the passenger seat. We fully expected we were about to "get it with both barrels", as the saying goes. As the older woman got out, and walked across the grass to speak with us, my mother made one last whispered petition to the Holy Spirit.

But this was a grandmother who had come to thank, not to attack. "I want to thank you," she said. "My daughter came here to have an abortion. But we've just learned that she's pregnant with twins... and she's changed her mind."

Blessings, hugs, and tears predictably followed.

Thanks be to God for his benevolence and for the little twin who saved two lives today. If Cain's question -- "Am I my brother's keeper?" -- were put to that little prolifer, the answer would clearly be "Yes!"

Love and prayers for mother, grandmother, and for that happy pair.

The Manhattan declaration

2009-11-20T14:00:00.001-05:00

Attention! From the signers of Manhattan Declaration, being released today at Noon EST, in Washington D.C:

We invite you to join with other Christians across the nation who support the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and religious liberty by endorsing the Manhattan Declaration.

Throughout the centuries, God has graciously provided His people with teachers and prophetic voices who apply His word to the critical issues of the day and who lead their hearers to embrace His life-giving authority and counsel in the midst of cultural madness. The Manhattan Declaration extends and honors that tradition, and we urge you to join us in affirming it. The Manhattan Declaration addresses with urgent eloquence the devaluation of human life, the corruption of marriage, and the erosion of religious liberty. With careful instruction, it brings light and clarity to all who read it. We trust that millions of believers will sign it, that countless others will be drawn or driven to give it fair consideration, and that our society will be changed by its strong yet sweetly reasonable message.

The Manhattan Declaration will be released this Friday, November 20, 2009, at a press conference in Washington D.C. It bears the signatures of many religious leaders, but this is just the beginning. The list of supports will grow dramatically in a short time and those who most need to hear this word will not be able to escape or downplay it. So please endorse this document by your signature and spread the word to others who might endorse it as well. Thank you.

Click here to view the Manhattan Declaration and lend your name to those who have already signed.

:::shrugs::: Yeah, fine...

2009-11-20T09:23:00.003-05:00

I love it when the Archbishop of Canterbury (total congregation: 3) lectures the Pope (total congregation: over a billion) on those "internal [Church of England] arguments [that offer] lessons for senior Catholics."

I'm sure the Holy Father will benefit greatly from the Archbishop's wisdom and insight.

:::eye roll:::

Ah... A morning cup of genius...

2009-11-20T07:55:00.001-05:00

For late-19th-century anarchists, terrorism was the “propaganda of the deed.” And the most successful propaganda-by-deed in history was 9/11 — not just the most destructive, but the most spectacular and telegenic.

Continue...

Book Corner

2009-11-18T23:47:00.001-05:00

To read about what I thought on the book "The Da Vince Code" visit my rarely used wordpress blog sometime. I am hilarious (as always) and because this is a book worth riffing like no one's business.
I warn you; it's lengthy.

All Saints Vigil

2009-11-18T20:18:00.002-05:00

I was sorry to have missed it (although I had a BLAST where I was!) but take a look at the slides.... you can see one of JP and then there is one of Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. holding court - and, while you cannot see Eleanor (I know she was present), you CAN see the Gilbert!!! and a couple of slides of dear Fr. Bruno Shah, O.P. (aka Donlon family Chaplain)

awesome blossom!

Anyone who can, I highly recommend attending this wonderful celebration at the House of Studies in DC!

I'm famous

2009-11-18T17:36:00.002-05:00

...kind of.
Thanks again to all of you who came!!

I resent being called a Perotistas...

2009-11-17T08:58:00.006-05:00

but this Rich Lowry column concerning 2009's biggest non-fiction release is worth reading anyway.

You can show your support for Sarah by donning one of these.

That's no lady...

2009-11-16T21:19:00.002-05:00

I had to pick my jaw up off the ground after watching this hideous display of unsportsman...er...womanlike like behavior!

Helen Alvare

2009-11-15T20:03:00.002-05:00

It is an hour long talk, but it is a good one.

St. Albert's Day Lecture given at St. Vincent Ferrer (Dominican) Church in NYC.

Genius, first thing in the morning

2009-11-13T06:44:00.000-05:00

Chas on "Medicalizing Mass Murder":

WASHINGTON -- What a surprise -- that someone who shouts "Allahu Akbar" (the "God is great" jihadist battle cry) as he is shooting up a room of American soldiers might have Islamist motives. It certainly was a surprise to the mainstream media, which spent the weekend after the Fort Hood massacre downplaying Nidal Hasan's religious beliefs.

They fight crime!

2009-11-11T09:58:00.001-05:00

Have a ball with this awesome plot generator! Somehow, they all sound vaguely like Gerard Butler movies...

(h/t Matt Alderman)

Try this one on for size

2009-11-10T12:39:00.001-05:00

Something else to smile about...or dance about!

2009-11-10T10:01:00.002-05:00

Is it New Years yet?

Mercy! If you just want the cream, skip to about 8:30:

Do they do a Midi-chlorians check?

2009-11-09T14:50:00.006-05:00

Apparently, long long ago wasn't long enough to kill this religion.

I wonder where I can find an application to join their ranks...

For more information and to order your youngling gear today!

...I suppose I shouldn't mock too much, given that I knew where to find the picture and get all the links...

Things to smile about this week.

2009-11-09T10:51:00.002-05:00

Showstoppers Kristin Chenoweth and Judy Holliday.

The cover of the latest National Review.

The 'Miss Librarian' paperdoll by one of my favorite Esty artists.

New RC News Website

2009-11-07T21:18:00.001-05:00

Bistro

Basking...

2009-11-04T08:43:00.004-05:00

(AP/Fox News Photo)

Nyah nyah na-nyah nyah. :D

Just as a side note: Dede Scozzafava is the dumbest broad this side of the equator.

From the USCCB (believe it or not)

2009-11-03T12:02:00.000-05:00

Email your representatives!

http://www.usccb.org/action

http://actions.nchla.org/Core.aspx?AID=970&APP=GAC&IssueID=19513&SiteID=-1

Law and Order: Dignity

2009-11-03T10:57:00.000-05:00

A clip from the unexpectedly pro-life L&O episode:

And another

2009-11-02T18:34:00.001-05:00

On request: A battle

2009-11-02T16:55:00.006-05:00

Maggie and Hyacinth (Jacek) dispute a theological point.

Jacek's rebuttal.

Maggie wins the argument through superior knowledge of the Summa.

Retreat back to the original sources.

Change of Heart

2009-11-02T16:03:00.002-05:00

(Sorry about the commercial.)

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T17:18:00.001-04:00

when the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake
spooks come out for a swingin' wake
happy haunts materialize, and begin to vocalize,
Grim Grinnin' Ghosts come out to socialize

now don't close your eyes and don't try to hide
or a silly spook may sit by your side
shrouded in a daft disguise, they pretend to terrorize,
Grim Grinnin' Ghosts come out to socialize

as the moon climbs high o'er the dead oak tree
spooks come out for the midnight spree
creepy creeps with eerie eyes, start to shriek and harmonize
Grim Grinnin' Ghosts come out to socialize!

when you hear the knell of a requiem bell
wierd glows gleam where spirits dwell
restless bones eptherialize, rise as spooks of every size
(maniacle laughter)

if you would like to join our jamboree
theres a simple rule thats compulsory:
mortals pay a token fee, rest in peace, the hauntings free,
so hurry back, we would like your company!

Another review

2009-10-29T20:30:00.001-04:00

Nice.

Especially when you consider the string of "Anglican perverts" in his family tree. But some of his notions were a bit silly. I would have helped Pitt eat the silly bunny.

Hyacinth

2009-10-29T11:14:00.000-04:00

More one-word movie reviews (well, maybe more than one)

2009-10-29T10:47:00.002-04:00

Side-splitting.

Meh.

Malpractice.

Snort.

Aging but passable. (Note my abhorrence of all "chic flicks")

Arbonne redux

2009-10-29T10:32:00.001-04:00

Will any of these dates work?

Sunday November 15th
Sunday December 6th
Saturday or Sunday Jan 9-10th
Sunday Jan 17th

Getting us all in the mood for Halloween!

2009-10-29T09:34:00.000-04:00

Wha-?

2009-10-28T20:15:00.005-04:00

<---What is the difference between these two Netflix sleeves?

The movie that even Netflix denies ----->

One-Word Movie Reviews

2009-10-28T17:02:00.001-04:00

Embarrassing.

Promising.

Unsettling.

Devastating.

Just bask in his brilliance...

2009-10-27T19:15:00.001-04:00

"In a SPIEGEL interview, Charles Krauthammer, the leading voice of America's conservative intellectuals, discusses Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, the president's failures and the state of the United Nations and the international community."

Arbonne party?

2009-10-27T09:11:00.002-04:00

A friend of mine has offered to come and hold a makeup party for us -- more for the fun of it than anything. She is a consultant for Arbonne. The date we have tentatively selected is the 29th of November. If enough people are interested, we could make it a sort of "ladies afternoon" in Charlottesville. Wine, cheese and crackers, and spa masks all around. There would be NO pressure for anyone to buy anything.

If you think you would be interested and could make it, let me know. I would need a rough head count before I went ahead and set it up.

2009-10-22T23:02:00.002-04:00

Caption: What the hell did you do *that* for!??!

Lovely story, very tragic. But really - what else would you assume they're saying to Dido as she lay there with a sword sticking through her chest? Heehee...sword...

Cheers!

2009-10-22T22:58:00.003-04:00

Caption: Quick! Everyone make her comfortable!

I'm not a sacrilegious person by nature, but this picture is asking for a funny caption.

Cheers!

Claudio redeemed?

2009-10-22T20:26:00.002-04:00

In such a circumstance, even THAT unlikely hero might prove attractive.

The Nanny of All Sequels!

2009-10-21T17:05:00.002-04:00

I've long felt that the one thing the original really lacked was belching crows...

"...the clear voice was like the ring of steel."

2009-10-20T19:41:00.001-04:00

For all you Tolkein-ites: Happy anniversary!

Still smiling

2009-10-20T18:11:00.000-04:00

Or roaring with laughter.

Take that, Tudors!

2009-10-20T10:16:00.000-04:00

Vatican makes it easier for Anglicans to convert.

Things to smile about this week.

2009-10-19T17:03:00.002-04:00

In addition to Eleanor's posts for today, here are some more things to smile about in the coming week!

Perfect design.

A new Shakespearean print. (Hubba hubba!)

The courage of martyrs.

And, Michael Buble.

St. Philip Howard

2009-10-19T13:51:00.000-04:00

He shares the upcoming Feast of the Martyrs of England and Wales, but today is the anniversary of his death.

Vigil of All Saints

2009-10-19T06:24:00.003-04:00

Things to smile about this week.

2009-10-12T23:08:00.015-04:00

My favorite recurring feature on Genna's blog is her 'Happy Friday' post in which she lists those things currently making her smile. I thought it might be nice to appropriate that brilliant concept for the family blog, switch it to the beginning of the week (so we're not too derivative) and provide one another with things to smile about over the coming days. :)

So, herewith are the things I'm smiling about this week:

- These lounge pants from Anthropologie. (Genna! My catalog finally came!!)

- The Mother Teresa statue at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

- The new Wayne Weible book. (That's my mom's yellow plate on the cover and the table is the round one from our family room!! The bread came from Farm Fresh.)

- Space Oddity by David Bowie.

- Stationery!

- Shakespeare and Modern Culture by Marjorie Garber.

- Wasa crackers.

Can't wait to hear what's making everyone else smile!

I don't know, Jani...

2009-10-09T08:43:00.004-04:00

I think I may have discovered the ugliest shoes in the history of shoes...from Alexander McQueen's Spring 2010 collection. Talk about nightmarish! No, I wouldn't do this even for the sake of high fashion.

addendum: But these from Chloe are absolutely fabulous. This is where Genna closes her eyes and falls into a daydreaming reverie. :)

I totally missed it!!!

2009-10-05T21:57:00.001-04:00

King Laugh was in September. Oh phooey.

Austenmania

2009-10-05T17:03:00.001-04:00

It never ends.

We'll see how this latest attempt shapes up.

Zut alors!

2009-10-04T11:08:00.002-04:00

The French are expanding their haute cuisine -- much to their horror.

Written chiefly by ladies for ladies...

2009-09-30T20:42:00.004-04:00

Persephone Books' image-heavy blog is just as fun as their website!

I have read several of their books and, not only have I enjoyed the individual stories, but holding the sturdy, creamy paperbacks in my hands was a distinct pleasure in-and-of-itself.

Oh, to have the funds for their book subscription!